Reinforced window spacer

ABSTRACT

A window assembly includes a first sheet and a second sheet separated by a window spacer. A window spacer includes an elongate body bent to define an interior space. The window spacer has increased strength due to the presence of reinforcing features. One example of a reinforcing feature is a support member provided inside the window spacer. Another example of a reinforcing feature is an undulating shape formed into at least a portion of the elongate body. Methods of manufacturing window spacers are also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/987,681, filed on Nov. 13, 2007, titled “WINDOW ASSEMBLY AND WINDOWSPACER”; and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/049,593, filed onMay 1, 2008, titled “WINDOW ASSEMBLY AND WINDOW SPACER”; and to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/049,599, filed on May 1, 2008, titled“MANUFACTURE OF WINDOW ASSEMBLY AND WINDOW SPACER”; and to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/038,803, filed on Mar. 24, 2008, titled“WINDOW ASSEMBLY AND WINDOW SPACER”; the disclosures of which are eachhereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Windows often include two facing sheets of glass separated by an airspace. A spacer is typically arranged between the two facing sheets andat or near the outer periphery of the sheets. The spacer maintains theappropriate spacing between the two sheets, and seals the edges of theair space. The air space reduces heat transfer through the window toinsulate the interior of a building from external temperaturevariations. As a result, the energy efficiency of the building isimproved, and a more even temperature distribution is achieved withinthe building.

SUMMARY

In general terms, this disclosure is directed to a window assemblyincluding a window spacer. In some embodiments, the window spacerincludes features that provide increased strength and rigidity.

One aspect is a window spacer comprising an elongate body formed of atleast one layer of a first material, the body defining an interior spaceand including a first side wall and an opposite second side wall; and asupport member arranged within the interior space to provide support tothe body.

Another aspect is a window assembly comprising a first sheet of an atleast partially translucent or transparent material; a second sheet ofthe at least partially translucent or transparent material; and a spacerarranged between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein thespacer comprises an elongate body defining an interior space andincluding a first side portion connected to the first sheet and a secondside portion connected to the second sheet; and a support memberarranged within the interior space to provide support to the body.

A further aspect is a window spacer comprising an elongate body formedof at least one layer of a first material, the body defining an interiorspace and including a first side wall and an opposite second side wall,and wherein at least a portion of the body includes an undulating shape.

Yet another aspect is a method of manufacturing a window spacer, themethod comprising obtaining an elongate strip of material; forming anundulating shape in the elongate strip of material; and bending theelongate strip of material after forming the undulating shape to formthe window spacer.

A further aspect is a method of manufacturing a window spacer, themethod comprising: obtaining a first elongate strip of a first material;obtaining a second elongate strip of a second material; bending thefirst elongate strip to define an interior space; arranging the secondelongate strip within the interior space.

Another aspect is a method of manufacturing a window spacer, the methodcomprising: obtaining a first elongate strip of a first material;obtaining a second elongate strip of a second material; connecting thefirst elongate strip in a facing arrangement with the second elongatestrip; bending the first elongate strip and the second elongate stripsimultaneously to form the window spacer.

There is no requirement that an arrangement include all of the featurescharacterized herein to obtain some advantage according to the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a window assemblyincluding a window spacer according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of thespacer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of the spacer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of the spacer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of materials used to formanother exemplary embodiment of the spacer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spacer formed from thematerials shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a material layer that isused to form another exemplary embodiment of the spacer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the material layer shownin FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a material layer that isused to form another exemplary embodiment of the spacer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the material layershown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a window assembly100 according to the present disclosure. Window assembly 100 includessheet 102, sheet 104, spacer 106, and sealant 124. Window assembly 100defines an interior space 103. Spacer 106 includes body 108 and definesan interior space 109. Body 108 includes inner portion 110, inner sideportion 112, outer side portion 114, outer portion 116, outer sideportion 118, and inner side portion 120. In some embodiments, interiorspace 109 is filled with a filler 126 (such as shown in FIG. 2).

Sheets 102 and 104 are typically formed of a material such as glass orplastic that allows at least some light to pass through. Someembodiments include an at least partially translucent or transparentmaterial, while other embodiments include a substantially transparentmaterial. Examples of suitable materials for sheets 102 and 104 areglass and plastic, or combinations of glass and plastic.

Spacer 106 is arranged between sheet 102 and sheet 104 to maintain sheet102 in a spaced relationship with sheet 104. Spacer 106 together withsheets 102 and 104 define interior space 103, which is a sealed interiorregion of window assembly 100. Interior space 109 typically includesinterior space 103 because joint 122 is formed with holes or a gap thatallows air and moisture to pass through. Sealant 124 is used to seal theintersection between sheet 102 and spacer 106 and to seal theintersection between sheet 104 and spacer 106. In some embodiments, oneor more additional sealant or adhesive layers are arranged betweenspacer 106 and sheets 102 and 104 (such as between inner side portion112 and sheet 102 and between inner side portion 120 and sheet 104) toconnect and seal spacer 106 with sheets 102 and 104.

Body 108 includes inner portion 110, inner side portion 112, outer sideportion 114, outer portion 116, outer side portion 118, and inner sideportion 120. Inner portion 110 is connected between inner side portions112 and 120. Inner side portion 112 is connected between inner portion110 and outer side portion 114. Inner side portion 120 is connectedbetween inner portion and outer side portion 118. Outer portion 116 isconnected between outer side portion 114 and outer side portion 118.Corners are formed between respective portions of body 100.

In some embodiments, body 108 is formed of a single sheet of material.Examples of suitable materials include metal and plastic, having amaterial thickness T1. The material is first obtained in an elongatedstrip form and is subsequently bent into the desired shape, such asusing a roll former. The elongated strip material typically has a lengthin a range from about 50 inches to about 250 inches, although otherlengths are used in other embodiments. The elongated strip is passedthrough a roll former that bends the elongated strip to form cornersbetween portions of spacer 106, and any other desired features of spacer106. Edges of the elongated strip are joined together at joint 122 byany suitable means, such as by welding, gluing, fastening, and the like.Edges are slightly overlapped in some embodiments to improve thestrength of joint 122. In some embodiments holes are formed at joint 122to allow gas and moisture to communicate between interior space 109 andthe rest of interior space 103.

Due to the relatively long length of spacer 106, rigidity and strengthof spacer 106 is important. For example, when installing a spacer into aparticular window, an end of the spacer is often inserted into a die tobend the spacer to match the windows shape. In doing so, a majority ofthe spacer is often suspended in the air. If a spacer is not rigidenough to support its own weight, the spacer will be damaged when itbends under the weight. A damaged spacer is typically discarded aswaste. Therefore, embodiments of spacer 106 include features thatprovide adequate rigidity or strength to resist damage duringmanufacture and use.

After spacer 106 has been formed, a sealant 124 is applied betweenspacer 106 and sheets 102 and 104 to seal edges of window assembly 100.Examples of sealant 124 include polyisobutylene (PIB), butyl, curablePIB, holt melt silicon, acrylic adhesive, acrylic sealant, reactive hotmelt butyl (such as D-2000 manufactured by Delchem, Inc. located inWilmington, Del.), curative hot melt (such as HL-5153 manufactured byH.B. Fuller Company), silicon, copolymers of silicon andpolyisobutylene, and other Dual Seal Equivalent (DSE) type materials.

When forces are applied to sheets 102 and 104 in the direction F1, theforces are transferred through sheets 102 and 104 to spacer 106. Spacer106 applies an approximately equal and opposite force to the respectivewindow sheet to maintain window sheets 102 and 104 appropriately spacedapart. As a result, interior space 103 continues to provide reducedthermal conductivity between sheets 102 and 104.

In some embodiments, a filler 126 (such as shown in FIG. 2) is placedwithin interior space 109 of spacer 106. An example of a suitable fillermaterial is a desiccant that acts to remove moisture from the interiorspace of window assembly 100. Desiccants include molecular sieve andsilica gel type desiccants. One particular example of a desiccant is abeaded desiccant, such as PHONOSORB® molecular sieve beads manufacturedby W. R. Grace & Co. of Columbia, Md. If desired, an adhesive is used toattach beaded desiccant between elongate strips 110 and 114. Otherexamples of filler materials include an adhesive, foam, putty, resin,silicon rubber, or other material or combination of materials.

In other embodiments, filler 126 (shown in FIG. 2) is a material thatprovides added support to spacer 106 to provide increased structuralstrength. The structural strength is increased because the fillerresists compression and buckling of body 108. In this way, spacer 106does not rely solely on the structural strength of body 108. In someembodiments, the added strength provided by the filler enables spacer106 to be formed using a thinner material for body 108, without reducingthe overall strength of spacer 106. Thinner material reduces heattransfer through the material (such as between sheets 102 and 104) andalso reduces the amount of material required to make body 108, therebyreducing the cost of body 108.

In yet other embodiments, filler 126 is a matrix desiccant material thatboth provides structural support to body 108 and also removes moisturefrom the interior space of window assembly 100. Some filler materialsare a desiccant or include a desiccant, such as a matrix material.Matrix material includes desiccant and other filler material. Examplesof matrix desiccants include those manufactured by W.R. Grace & Co. andH.B. Fuller Corporation. A beaded desiccant can also be combined withanother filler material, if desired.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofwindow spacer 106. Spacer 106 includes body 108 including inner portion110, inner side portion 112, outer side portion 114, outer portion 116,outer side portion 118, and inner side portion 120. Spacer 106 alsoincludes support member 128.

When a force is applied to window spacer 106, the majority of the forceis typically applied in direction F1 (shown in FIG. 1). The force isresisted by spacer 106, which applies an approximately equal andopposite force to maintain the sheets appropriately spaced apart. Someof the force is supplied by inner portion 110 and inner side portions112 and 120. Although inner portion 110 is shown as being substantiallyplanar, other embodiments include non-planar shapes. Additional force issupplied through outer portion 116, outer side portions 114 and 118, andinner side portions 112 and 120.

In this embodiment, window spacer 106 further includes support member128. Support member 128 is arranged within body 108, and extendsgenerally between inner side portion 112 and inner side portion 120.Support member provides additional strength to window spacer 106 toassist body 108 in withstanding forces applied by sheets 102 and 104(shown in FIG. 1) in direction F1.

In some embodiments, support member 128 is a fibrous material, such aspaper, paperboard, cardboard, carbon fiber, wood, or other fibrousmaterials. An advantage of such materials is that they are breathable,such that they do not block the flow of air and moisture through joint122 or other holes in spacer 106. In other embodiments, support member128 is a laminate of two or more materials. A composite material is usedin some embodiments. Adhesive, such as epoxy, is suitable in someembodiments to connect two or more layers together. Yet otherembodiments include biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalatepolyester film (such as Mylar® brand film). Holes can be formed in suchembodiments to improve the ability of the material to pass air andmoisture, if desired.

In some embodiments, support member 128 is a long strip of material. Forexample, support member 128 is typically in a range from about 50 inchesto about 250 inches, although other lengths are used in otherembodiments. Support member 128 can be inserted within body 108 beforebody 108 is bent into the desired shape, or alternatively can beinserted through an open end of body 108 after body 108 is formed, andslid through body 108 until it is in the desired position. In someembodiments an adhesive is used to connect support member 128 with body108.

The added strength provided by support member 128 increases the strengthof spacer 106 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the presence ofsupport member 128 reduces the strength requirements of body 108. As aresult, the thickness of body 108 material can be reduced, which reducesthe overall amount of material needed to construct body 108. Reducedmaterial leads to reduced material costs and reduced weight. In someembodiments, support member 128 is made of a material that is lessexpensive than the material of body 108, such that the overall materialcosts are reduced despite the added cost of support member 128 material.

Reduced thickness of body 108 material also has the further advantage ofimproving thermal properties of spacer 106. The thinner the material ofbody 108, the less heat transfer occurs through body 108 between sheet102 and sheet 104.

Another advantage of some embodiments is that support member 128 fillssome of the space within body 108, such that less filler 126 is neededto fill the space surrounded by body 108. If the material cost ofsupport member 128 is less than the cost of filler material, the overallmaterial cost is further reduced. In addition, some embodiments includea support member 128 that is less weight per unit volume than filler126. As a result, the overall weight of spacer 106 is reduced.

In another possible embodiment, rather than reducing the thickness ofbody 108 material, a different material is used that could not otherwisehave been used. The material has improved characteristics, such asbetter thermal properties, reduced cost, or other beneficialcharacteristics.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of spacer 106. Spacer 106 includes body 108 including innerportion 110, inner side portion 112, outer side portion 114, outerportion 116, outer side portion 118, and inner side portion 120. Spacer106 also includes support member 128 and support member 130.

When a force is applied to spacer 106 (e.g., a force in direction F1,shown in FIG. 1) between inner side 112 and inner side 120, the force isresisted by an approximately equal and opposite force. This equal andopposite force is applied to the sheets from body 108 and strengthmember 128. However, the force becomes too large, inner portion 110 maybegin to buckle, such as by moving toward outer portion 116. Suchmovement is resisted in this embodiment by the addition of a secondsupport member 130 that extends between support member 128 and outerportion 116. In some embodiments strength members 128 and 130 are formedof a single strip of material that is bent into the desired shape, suchas a “T” shape. Other embodiments are formed of multiple materials thatare fastened together at a joint. Yet other embodiments include a fillermaterial on both open sides of support member 130 that maintains supportmember 130 in the illustrated (or other desired) orientation.

Other embodiments include additional support members, and someembodiments include other configurations of support members. As oneexample, support member 130 is replaced by a V-shaped or triangularsupport member. The support member extends from the midpoint of supportmember 128 to the corner between lower side portion 114 and outerportion 116, and also from the midpoint of support member 128 to thecorner between outer side portion 118 and outer portion 116. Otherexamples included a cylindrical, outer portion square, or rectangular,support members. Other embodiments include other shapes, sizes, numbers,and configurations of support members.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of spacer 106. Spacer 106 includes body 108 including innerportion 110, inner side portion 112, outer side portion 114, outerportion 116, outer side portion 118, and inner side portion 120. Spacer106 also includes support member 140.

Support member 140 includes segments 142, 144, and 146. Segment 144 isadjacent and generally parallel with outer portion 116. Segment 142extends from one side of segment 144, and generally parallel with outerside portion 114. Segment 146 extends from an opposite side of segment144, and generally parallel with outer side portion 118. Support member140 provides additional support to adjacent portions of body 108.

In one embodiment, support member 140 is made of a single strip ofmaterial that is bent to form corners between adjacent segments. In someembodiments, support member 140 and body 108 are formed of planarelongated strips that are fastened together prior to bending. Afterfastening, support member 140 and body 108 are bent simultaneously. Inother embodiments, support member 140 is bent separately and theninserted into body 108. Examples of suitable materials for supportmember 140 are described above. Filler is inserted into interior space109 in some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of materials used to formanother exemplary embodiment of a spacer. Spacer 106 includes supportlayer 150 and body layer 152. Support layer 150 and body layer 152 arein facing arrangement to each other. Support layer 150 is a materialthat provides additional support to body layer 152. Examples of suitablematerials for support layer 150 include those described, is suitable forsupport members discussed above. In some embodiments, support layer 150is fastened to body layer 152, such as with an adhesive or otherfastener. In one example, embodiment body layer 152 is stainless steeland support layer 150 is biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalatepolyester film. A MYLAR® core laminate spacer is then formed as shown inFIG. 6.

After formation and arrangement of layers 150 and 152, the layers arebent into the desired shape of spacer 106, as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of a spacer 106 after bending of the material layers shown inFIG. 5. Spacer 106 includes body 108 including inner portion 110, innerside portion 112, outer side portion 114, outer portion 116, outer sideportion 118, and inner side portion 120. Body 108 is formed of bodylayer 152. Spacer 106 also includes support member 140 arranged adjacentto a surface of body layer 152.

After forming and arranging layers 150 and 152 as shown in FIG. 5,layers 150 and 152 are bent, such as using one or more roll formers.Support layer 150 provides added strength to spacer 106, providingvarious advantages as described herein.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a material layer 170 that can be used to formanother exemplary embodiment of a spacer. FIG. 7 is a schematiccross-sectional view of material layer 170. FIG. 8 is a schematic planview of a portion of material layer 170.

Material layer 170 is a relatively long and narrow strip of one or morelayers. Material 170 has an undulating shape. An example of anundulating shape is a sinusoidal shape. Other examples of undulatingshapes include triangular-wave, square-wave, or other shapes having arepeating or non-repeating pattern. Material layer 170 is a materialsuch as metal or plastic that can be formed to have an undulating shape.In one example, the undulating shape is formed in a planar strip ofmaterial by bending, such as using a roll former to impress theundulating pattern into the strip of material. In another embodiment,the undulating shape is formed by molding or melting the material intothe desired undulating shape.

In some embodiments, the undulating pattern has small undulations in arange from about 10 to about 100 peaks per inch. In other embodiments,the undulating pattern has larger undulations, such as from about 0 toabout 10 undulations per inch. The peak to peak amplitude of theundulations are typically in a range from about 0.01 inches to about 0.2inches. In other embodiments, the peak to peak amplitude of theundulations are in a range from about 0.1 inches to about 0.5 inches.

After material layer 170 has been formed, material layer 170 is bentinto the desired spacer configuration. The undulations present inmaterial layer 170 are advantageous to the spacer. In some embodiments,the undulations provide increased strength along a longitudinaldirection, increasing the rigidity of spacer 106 to resist buckling,kinking, or other damage to the spacer.

In some embodiments, the undulations also cause material layer 170 tohave increased flexibility in a lateral direction. This is beneficial,for example, to make material layer 170 bend more easily when forminginto the desired spacer configuration. Although the embodiments of FIGS.7-8 illustrate longitudinal undulations, another embodiment includeslateral or angled undulations.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a material layer 190 that can be used to formanother exemplary embodiment of a spacer. FIG. 9 is a schematiccross-sectional view of material layer 190. FIG. 10 is a schematic planview of a portion of material layer 190.

Material layer 190 is a relatively long and narrow strip of one or morelayers and includes three distinct regions: region 192, region 194, andregion 196. Each region has an undulating shape. In this example,regions 192 and 196 have undulations that extend longitudinally alongmaterial layer 190 and region 194 has undulations that extend laterallyalong material layer 190 between regions 192 and 196.

Material layer 190 is a material such as metal or plastic. In oneexample, the undulating shapes are formed in a planar material strip bybending the metal strip, such as by passing the material strip throughtwo or more adjacent rollers. The rollers have a shape that cause thematerial strip to bend as it passes between the rollers. As a result, anundulating shape is formed. In this embodiment, the rollers havemultiple regions having different shapes, each region of the roller isused to form one of regions 192, 194, and 196. Alternatively, multiplerollers are used to form the regions in separate steps. Further, otherembodiments for undulations in other ways, such as by molding materiallayer 190 in a mold to form the desired undulating pattern.

After material layer 190 has been formed to include the desiredundulating shape, material layer 190 is then bent into the desiredspacer shape, such as the shape illustrated in FIG. 1. In thisembodiment, region 194 is used to form the outer portion 116 and regions192 and 196 are used to form the other portions of body 108. (See FIG.1.)

In some embodiments, region 194 includes lateral undulations thatincrease the flexibility of outer portion 116 to resist kinking,bending, buckling, cracking or other damage. Regions 192 and 196 includelongitudinal undulations. The longitudinal undulations provide addedstrength and stability in the longitudinal direction, increasing therigidity of spacer 106 in this dimension. This improves spacer 106 by,for example, making spacer 106 easier to manipulate and handle duringmanufacturing without damaging to spacer 106. On the other hand, addedflexibility is added in other dimensions of spacer 106, such as makingspacer 106 easier to bend into the desired shape (such as the shapeshown in FIG. 1).

Other embodiments include other undulating patterns, combinations ofundulating regions, or combinations of undulating regions and planarregions. For example, any of regions 192, 194, and 196 couldalternatively be formed to have a planar shape, where one or more of theother regions have an undulating shape. Additional regions are includedin some embodiments, which have either an undulating shape or anon-undulating shape.

Although spacer 106 has been described as having a particular generalbody structure, as shown in FIG. 1, other embodiments include otherspacer shapes and configurations. For example, a simple box shape isused in some embodiments having a square or rectangular cross-sectionalshape. In another embodiment, a spacer has a three-sided cross-sectionalshape, such as arranged in a U-shape. Yet other embodiments includeadditional features to that shown in FIG. 1, such as includingadditional wings or protrusions. The protrusions are useful, forexample, to provide additional surface area for adhering spacer 106 tosheets 102 and 104. Further, the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustratesportions having generally planar shapes. Other embodiments includeportions with non-planar shapes. Some embodiments include conventionalbox spacers.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made without following the exampleembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, andwithout departing from the intended scope of the following claims.

1. A window spacer comprising: an elongate body formed of at least onelayer of a first material, the body defining an interior space andincluding a first side wall and an opposite second side wall; and asupport member arranged within the interior space to provide support tothe body.
 2. The window spacer of claim 1, wherein the first material isselected from the group consisting of metal and plastic.
 3. The windowspacer of claim 2, wherein the first material is stainless steel.
 4. Thewindow spacer of claim 1, wherein the support member is an elongatestrip of a second material, and wherein the support member extendsbetween the side walls.
 5. The window spacer of claim 4, wherein thesecond material is a fibrous material, biaxially-oriented polyethyleneterephthalate, or a combination of fibrous material andbiaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate.
 6. The window spacer ofclaim 4, wherein the second material includes a material selected fromthe group consisting of: paper, paperboard, cardboard, card stock, andbiaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate.
 7. The window spacer ofclaim 4, wherein the second material is a laminate or a composite. 8.The window spacer of claim 4, wherein the body includes an inner surfacethat is connected between the sidewalls and wherein the support memberis substantially parallel with at least a majority of the inner surface.9. The window spacer of claim 8, wherein the window spacer furthercomprises a second support member.
 10. The window spacer of claim 9,wherein the body further comprises an outer surface opposite the innersurface, and wherein the second support member extends from the supportmember to the outer surface.
 11. A window assembly comprising: a firstsheet of an at least partially translucent or transparent material; asecond sheet of the at least partially translucent or transparentmaterial; and a spacer arranged between the first sheet and the secondsheet, wherein the spacer comprises: an elongate body defining aninterior space and including a first side portion connected to the firstsheet and a second side portion connected to the second sheet; and asupport member arranged within the interior space to provide support tothe body.
 12. The window assembly of claim 11, wherein the supportmember is a substantially planar elongate strip extending between thefirst side portion and the second side portion.
 13. The window assemblyof claim 11, wherein the support member has a T-shaped cross-section.14. The window assembly of claim 11, wherein the support member has aU-shaped cross-section.
 15. The window assembly of claim 11, wherein thesupport member is a laminate arranged along at least part of an interiorsurface of the body.
 16. A window spacer comprising an elongate bodyformed of at least one layer of a first material, the body defining aninterior space and including a first side wall and an opposite secondside wall, and wherein at least a portion of the body includes anundulating shape.
 17. The window spacer of claim 16, wherein theundulating shape includes at least ten undulations per inch.
 18. Thewindow spacer of claim 17, wherein the undulating shape includes lessthan 100 undulations per inch.
 19. The window spacer of claim 16,wherein the undulating shape has a peak to peak amplitude in a rangefrom about 0.01 inches to about 0.1 inches.
 20. The window spacer ofclaim 16, wherein the elongate body further comprises a first regionhaving a first undulating shape and a second region having a secondundulating shape that is different than the first undulating shape. 21.The window spacer of claim 20, wherein the elongate body furthercomprises a third region having the first undulating shape.
 22. Thewindow spacer of claim 21, wherein the second region is between thefirst region and the third regions.
 23. A method of manufacturing awindow spacer, the method comprising: obtaining an elongate strip ofmaterial; forming an undulating shape in the elongate strip of material;and bending the elongate strip of material after forming the undulatingshape to form the window spacer.
 24. A method of manufacturing a windowspacer, the method comprising: obtaining a first elongate strip of afirst material; obtaining a second elongate strip of a second material;bending the first elongate strip to define an interior space; arrangingthe second elongate strip within the interior space.
 25. A method ofmanufacturing a window spacer, the method comprising: obtaining a firstelongate strip of a first material; obtaining a second elongate strip ofa second material; connecting the first elongate strip in a facingarrangement with the second elongate strip; bending the first elongatestrip and the second elongate strip simultaneously to form the windowspacer.